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CREATE TH E PATTERN With just three measurements and an old sheet, you can drape four simple pattern pieces directly on the chair, securing with clips or clothespins. Measure chair Measure front edge of seat (A), seat depth (B), and top edge of chair (C). C Outer back and sides CB 12 EASY SEW 1. Serge or zigzag aI/ edges for quick, durable finish, then turn up 'h-in. hems as shown. 2. If using piping between inner seat and outer back and sides, sew piping to RS of inner back/seat along seamline, with raw edges of piping and s.a. aligned. 3. Sew pieces together with 'h-in. s.a., as shown. Note: Front skirt panel and outer back and sides should be Corner skirt Front skirt panel, WS panels, WS Ys to 1. in. apart (they shouldn 't touch or overlap). CB Outer back 4. Pin corner skirt panels to WSs of outer and back side, at triangular corners. Fit cover on chair, adjust points of triangles to overlap corner skirt panels, and sew. in. C 12 in. Outer back and sides 1. Starting at corner of sheet, measure and mark as shown. 2. Match CB to top center of chair back. Secure along edge, smoothing sides to front of armrests (fabric corners extend 12 in.). Mark bottom edge along chair legs at back and sides. 3. Remove from chair and true pattern (adjust seams equal/y, and straighten and blend lines with ruler). Add 'h-in. seam allowance (s.a.) and hem, then cut out. A 30 About in. o = 'hA+'h-in. s.a. Inner back/seat 1. Mark measurements on sheet as shown, and cut along lines 0 and A. Outer back and sides, WS Corner skirt panel, RS turn and fit the pattern pieces as needed on your fabric. Mix and mingle If you decide to combine fabrics in your cover, you may find it a little difficult to visualize the overall scale and balance of the combined fabrics. If that's the case, try our method for experimenting with col- 60 TH READS or and print: First gather up swatches of possible fabrics and glue them in a "mini collage" on a piece of paper. Then sketch a miniature chair on a piece of card, using your chair as reference, and cut it out like a stencil. Hold the stencil above your collage and look through it-you'll get a pretty good idea of whether the prints are bal- anced or not. Although the fabrics are full-scale and the stencil is a miniature, you'll be able to see whether your fabrics are compatible. The stencil can also help to determine placement of fabrics within your chair cover. For inspiration, you can place the chair stencil over magazine pages, art papers, and even gift wrap. Even